Chapter 44: Classification and Assignment

After the interviews concluded, the personnel management building did not return to its usual calm. Within the office areas of the First and Second Cadre Bureaus, telephone bells rang far more frequently than on ordinary days.

In the corridors, staff members spoke in lowered voices, and the air carried an inexpressible tension.

Zhao Mingde, Director of the First Bureau, had just put down the overheating receiver when his internal line rang again. He rubbed his temples and answered with a helpless sigh, "Hello?"

"Old Zhao, it's me, Old Qian from the Ministry of Finance!" came the urgent and earnest voice from the other end. "Let me be frank with you. Our Budget Department is in dire shortage of personnel right now!

We have several key projects pending, and we desperately need young people who understand economics and possess a macroeconomic vision—especially those with high academic credentials and solid professional foundations..."

Almost simultaneously, Zhou Haitao, Director of the neighboring Second Bureau, received a similar call. Calls from the Supreme People's Court, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Science and Technology came one after another, all conveying essentially the same core message: their departments urgently needed core personnel with "rock-solid professional competence" and "strategic minds."

Both directors hung up their phones with expressions of weariness. They were well aware of the weight behind these calls. While the callers spoke with politeness, their intention to "poach talent" was crystal clear. And as for whom those high academic degrees, professional credentials, and top-tier prospects referred to, the two men knew as clearly as if a mirror were hanging before them.

Li Yifei's biographical summary lay right on their desks. The titles of municipal middle school entrance examination top scorer and provincial college entrance examination top scorer were already dazzling enough.

Even more astonishingly, at the prestigious institution of Peking University, he had earned three rigorous doctoral degrees in economics, law, and medicine in just four years!

Such an academic resume stood out anywhere, and in the eyes of central ministries and commissions thirsting for talent, its value went without saying.

"Old Zhou," Zhao Mingde leaned back in his chair, his voice somewhat hoarse. "With someone like this, which department wouldn't want him? I even considered keeping him in our own ministry to groom him properly. But every finger on one's hand hurts when bitten; it's a difficult situation." He gave a wry smile.

Zhou Haitao nodded in agreement. "Who is to say otherwise? But the final decision doesn't rest with us. We are merely coordinators." He pointed toward the telephone, which had started ringing again, wearing an expression of utter helplessness. Both men understood that Li Yifei's placement had already exceeded their authority and had to be reported upward.

This "dilemma" was soon placed before the higher-level leadership. Recalling the heavyweight figures in the observation room during the interviews who had watched every moment and nodded frequently, the executive leaders also found the matter tricky.

Li Yifei's capabilities were exceedingly versatile: with a deep foundation in economics and a sharp intuition for major issues, he was well-suited for the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance; with a background in law, he was a promising prospect for the public security, procuratorate, and judiciary systems; and his background in medicine and related achievements made the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Health Commission reluctant to let him go. With so many choices, making a decision became all the more difficult.

During the ministerial executive meeting, the atmosphere was solemn. The job placement of this batch of central selected graduates, particularly Li Yifei's, became the focus of discussion. Opinions from various sides failed to unify at first.

At this point, the head of the First Cadre Bureau offered a suggestion: " Leaders, since various departments urgently need a multi-talented individual like Li Yifei, and his capabilities genuinely span multiple fields, should we consider a more flexible training approach?"

He paused, observed the reactions of the others, and continued, "For instance, could we arrange short-term rotations for him across several core demand departments?

By allowing him actual practice in different positions, it would not only enable him to gain a comprehensive understanding of the work and find where his strengths could be best utilized, but it would also allow various departments to directly evaluate his adaptability, laying the groundwork for his ultimate permanent placement. This would also temporarily balance the perspectives of all parties and afford the organization more time for observation."

This proposal gave everyone present food for thought. Following discussion, the meeting ultimately set the tone:

In view of Li Yifei's three doctoral degrees, his comprehensive first-place ranking in the selected graduate examinations, and his outstanding performance in major early-warning and scientific technological contributions, it was decided to exceptionally grant him a corresponding professional rank, paving the way for his future development. Other selected graduates would have their ranks evaluated and determined according to regular procedures.

The rotational placement proposal was adopted. First stop: the Department of Economic Decision-Making. Reporting date: March 15, 2012. Subsequent rotational departments and durations would be determined based on performance and organizational needs. This arrangement aimed to leverage his expertise in economics and enable him to familiarize himself with macroeconomic strategic decision-making work as quickly as possible.

This resolution was soon copied and distributed to the personnel departments of the relevant ministries and commissions. The "talent-poaching" calls to the First and Second Bureaus of the Organization Department of the Central Committee noticeably decreased—at least Li Yifei's first stop had been settled, and all parties temporarily ceased their lobbying, intending to compete again based on subsequent practical performance.

In late February 2012, the chill of spring had not yet dissipated. In a traditional Beijing courtyard house, Li Yifei had just finished his morning exercise when his phone rang. It displayed a Beijing landline number.

"Hello, is this Comrade Li Yifei?" the voice on the other end was calm and clear.

"This is he."

"This is the First Cadre Bureau of the Ministry of Personnel. This is an official notification: according to organizational arrangements, you are requested to report to the Personnel Department of the Department of Economic Decision-Making punctually at 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 15, 2012. The relevant documents have already been sent to your email. Please check them and complete the procedures as required."

"Received. Thank you to the organization, I will report punctually." Li Yifei's voice was steady, the fingers holding the phone tightening slightly.

After hanging up, he walked over to his desk, turned on the computer, and logged into his email. An email from a specific domain was already in his inbox. Opening it, the official reporting notice was rigorously formatted and stamped with an electronic seal.

At the same time, the publicity information for this batch of selected graduates was released on the personnel website, with Li Yifei's name ranked at the very top.

Outside the window, the ice sheet glistened in the sunlight, its edges already beginning to thaw. Li Yifei's gaze shifted from the screen to the window, his eyes deep and resolute.

A department as vital as economic decision-making would be the starting point of his new journey.

No longer learning within campus walls, no longer answering questions in examination halls. Here was the front line of practicing the purpose of serving the people.

"Serving the people"—this phrase etched deep in his heart became incomparably concrete at this moment. It meant facing mountains of documents, complex coordination, major decisions, and the expectations of countless citizens.

Li Yifei took a deep breath, as if inhaling this heavy responsibility into his lungs. He knew that the stage of theoretical study had ended.

His own practice was about to begin in a vital post of national economic governance. This learning pertained to the overall situation, and not the slightest slackening was permitted.

He stood up, pulled the slightly dog-eared volume of *Chinese Macroeconomic Analysis* from the bookshelf, and sat down beneath the light once more.

Time marched quietly toward March 15 amidst the rustle of turning pages and the scratching of pen tips across paper.